The Franco-Malian spat continues.
If France do not send more help, Mali needs to negotiate with Al Qaeda, at least.
> Another HCI official said no talks had yet taken place.
For now it sounds like another tool to pressure France. It tries to show Mali has other options. They even have precedent to back it up:
> The HCI mediated talks in central Mali’s Niono Circle area – quietly backed by national authorities – that led to a peace deal in March between JNIM fighters and traditional hunters that oppose them.
HCI = High Islamic Council; created in 2002, to coordinate, mediate between religious groups, it seems.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/10/19/mali-asks-islamic-body-to-open-negotiations-with-al-qaeda